Has my battery failed? Anyone had a Bosch power tube failure?

M

-Matt

Member
Joined
Aug 14, 2022
Messages
37
Reaction score
21
Location
Stroud
I have a 2022 Cube Stereo 160 with the Bosch smart motor and 750 powertube battery.

A few months back the bike bricked its self mid ride, with a million error codes. My local Bosch bike shop said he had never seen a bike with so many error's. But after loads of tests, it was discovered the motor was dead, and had a brand new motor with a 50% goodwill from Bosch.

All was good, then halfway through a ride today and the motor started juddering, then kept switching its self off within 5 seconds.
I unplugged the battery waited a few mins and plugged back in and it worked for a bit then did the same.

It was not showing any error codes, however i noticed when it was switching on for the few seconds, it did not show a battery percentage.

I have a second battery, so when i got back home (big work out with no motor assist!), i fitted my other battery.
All worked perfect, had an hour ride without a problem.

So i can only assume my one battery has failed! which is annoying so soon after a motor failure!

Im not sure if its the original battery, or the one i purchased 6 months after.


Anyone had a Bosch Powertube failure? can they be repaired? Anything i can try?

Cheers
 
⚡ EMTB Pro Go Pro — Living Intelligence Reports, exclusive discounts & ad-free Up to 25% off Peaty's, PEMBREE, Magicshine & more · Ad-free browsing · Pro badge See the deals →
not sure but only suppose: may be first motor not fail, but take a lot of errors because low voltage from battery that dead now...
and if dead battery have at least 1 section with bad battery you will get 100% charged but on load it can down voltage for 3.7v and indicate 0% ..
 
If no error codes and power fluctuations/shut down, you might want to check the connector (on the battery side and on the frame).
 
It could be a known Cube connection issue. You can buy a spacer from the likes of Tredz that cure it. Two riders in our group have used this with success
 
Thanks guys, so its looking like it may be the battery connection now!

As i went for as ride yesterday on the "good" battery, and after 30 mins the bike started juddering/pulsing when on a long incline. But it didn't fully cut out/shut down.

I could also hear a bit of a rattle from the battery area on bumps.

Its odd, that it doesn't show an error code for poor power connection?

When i got back, i removed the battery cover and the lower part of the battery was much warmer than the top.
I didn't have the key to remove the battery and check the connector.


Will have a good look this week, as i want to get this sorted!

Welly, ive had a google, but i cannot find a spacer? do you have any info on this?
 
-Matt said:
Thanks guys, so its looking like it may be the battery connection now!

As i went for as ride yesterday on the "good" battery, and after 30 mins the bike started juddering/pulsing when on a long incline. But it didn't fully cut out/shut down.

I could also hear a bit of a rattle from the battery area on bumps.

Its odd, that it doesn't show an error code for poor power connection?

When i got back, i removed the battery cover and the lower part of the battery was much warmer than the top.
I didn't have the key to remove the battery and check the connector.


Will have a good look this week, as i want to get this sorted!

Welly, ive had a google, but i cannot find a spacer? do you have any info on this?
Click to expand...
It wont let me post a link but I'll dig out the text for you to search
 
I had very similar symptoms with loose connections on my Bosch bike, a Canyon Strive ON.

I found a very small amount of conductive grease (not diaelectric) can help.
e.g. 8481 - Premium Carbon Conductive Grease
Good as a temporary fix as you can just apply to battery, but for a proper fix, make sure all connectors and mounts are tightened properly.
 
Thanks guys, just had a look and noticed the battery certainly had movement, which after removing the battery i can see why!

It seems there is a missing countersunk screw! which would explain the movement/rattling. Most likely never re-fitted after motor change?

tempImageJ4CqVL.jpg



But also the battery connecter is very dirty and signs of thermal issue.

tempImageavEhL6.jpg


So im thinking its a mix of both issues causing my problems?

It would be nice to replace the battery connector, but i can't seem to find these for sale after a google, and looks like this would be a motor out to replace. As i can't see how i can remove the connector from the battery side.

So i am thinking for now i will try cleaning the connector as best possible, and a smidge of the carbon conductive grease suggested above. And see how it goes.

And i have also ordered the Bosch damping gasket.
 
Agree, those contaminants will rise the contact resistance, so more heat, possibly sparking (under load or vibrations) that will further damage contact surface until complete failure. The nasty part is that even if you replace the connector from the frame, the battery connector will also be affected and bosch (or bike manufacturer) won't replace that one. You'll have to look at 3rd party specialized workshops that do a good job (opening the battery, replacing the connector, assemble it back) not just saying they do :-)

So my advice to all of you is to keep that area clean as much as possible. The contacts should be dry and clean. That means no lubricants, greases, anti seize/ water displacement products (like wd40).

Looking at the picture above, I would try a foam gasket around the connector, on the frame side. It's unbelievable how big brands (like bosch) still use connectors that are not meant to be used in emtb scenarios. And they would have plenty to choose from. It's a whole world called "The connector world" :)

I've seen an emtb with bosch motor...can't remember the brand...but what I remembered was the location they choose for the charging port. Right where the heatube and downtube join together. Imagine going to a muddy trail with no fender, just because :) .That flimsy Bosch dust cap won't have a chance keeping dirt and moisture out....Oh là là
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Keep reading
    Browse all

    Similar Threads

    Community Stats

    Since 2018
    674K
    Messages
    41,790
    Members
    Join 30,000+ Riders, it's free!
    Back
    Top